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Since the establishment of Rovos Rail, 15 years ago, the
company has built up a good international reputation. Step aboard in one of
our wood finished carriages, back into the glory days of the romantic train
journeys. Enjoy the 5-star luxury, excellent cuisine and African landscapes
rolling by. Rovos Rail takes you with into the magical African train
journeys from the 19th century.
The Pride of Africa is taking you to Africa's most beautiful
destinations from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, the most beautiful
nature reserves in Mpumalanga, the famous Victoria Falls, the dune
landscapes in Nambia, the beauty of the Karoo semi-dessert, sugarcane farms
in KwaZulu-Natal and picturesque landscapes along the Garden Route and the
Cape South Coast.
The trains during the journey are
powered by steam, diesel or electrical machines.
There are maximum 72 passengers in 36 suites.
Switch off your cell phone and put your credit card back into your wallet,
go back into the 19th century away from work and live on the rhythm of the
train. Forget all your sorrows and enjoy the meals and drinks included in
your journey.
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CAPITAL PARK
THE NEW HEAD QUATERS FROM ROVOS
RAIL
After a 10 year
search, the most luxurious train in the world found its home in Capital
Park, north of Pretoria.
The gracious colonial-style railway
station, Capital Park, just north of Pretoria, serves as an elegant
departure and arrival stage for Rovos Rail journey. The once derelict
locomotive yard is now a permanent base for the world’s most luxurious
train. In 1939 Capital Park was chosen as the site for a new locomotive shed
and marshalling yard. Completed in 1943, the yard in its heyday was
extremely busy housing some 140 steam locomotives.
Technology
and time moved on and with the arrival of electric and diesel engines the
steam locomotive sheds at Capital Park experienced a steady decline. In
January 1998 Rovos Rail was successful in obtaining a long-term lease over
Capital Park. The property has recently grown to 56 acres, has 15 lines
totalling a distance of 7km, of which a hundred meter section is under roof,
and has a coal stage with 40 loading chutes. All the rolling stock,
consisting of 75 carriages and 6 locomotives, the administrative offices,
stores and workshops are now based at Capital Park. The loco sheds are being
rehabilitated and the loco department will take occupation in November 2006.
The aim was not only to rebuild the site to a world beating standard, but
also to transform it into a working railway museum.
CAPE TO VIC FALLS COMBINATION
Rovos Rail offers a Cape to Vic Falls combination (with
accommodation in Pretoria)
Rovos Rail launched a new 6-day package journey from Cape
Town to the Victoria Falls. The journey is a combination from the Cape Town
- Pretoria route and Pretoria – Victoria Falls route including a
complimentary overnight in a selected Pretoria hotel (bed & breakfast)
including a transfer to the Rovos Rail Capital Park in Pretoria.
Join us for excursions during the
journey: a visit to the small Victorian village
Matjiesfontein, a tour in the historical mining city
Kimberley, game drive in the Kapama Game Reserve and flight with a classic
Rovos Rail airplane from Pietersburg (re-named as Polokwane) to Livingstone
near the Victoria Falls.
DE LOCOMOTIEVEN
Five superbly
reconditioned locomotives are the soul of Rovos Rail and a sight to gladden
the heart of any rail enthusiast. Each has a story behind its acquisition
and restoration. Each has a distinctive character and charm and they are all
named after owners Rohan and Anthea Vos’s children. The oldest and smallest
engine in the stable is 439 TIFFANY – one of 40 Class 6 Locomotives
manufactured by Dubs & Co in 1893. Rohan and Anthea Vos first saw this
petite loco on the platform of Winburg Station in the Eastern Freestate and
it was love at first sight. The loco was purchased in 1987 and Dunns
Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the Class 6 to running
condition. She is named after their youngest daughter. 2701 BRENDA, 2702
BIANCA and 3360 SHAUN are named after Rohan and Anthea's other three
children. They are Class 19D Locomotives which were all built during the
1930’s. All three locomotives were saved from scrap metal dealers and, after
extensive restoration by Dunns Locomotive and the Rovos staff, were put back
into service in 1989. 3484 MARJORIE is named after Rohan’s mother. Built in
1954 by the North British in Glasgow, she is a Class 25NC Locomotive that
has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine. She can cover
a distance of 700 kms without needing to stop for oil or water whereas the
steam locomotives have to stop after 100 kms for water and 300 kms for coal.
The arrival of an articulated GMAM Garret locomotive which is currently
being overhauled, will bring the operating fleet to six.
The use of steam
trains became with the years more and more difficult due to water and
charcoal supply problems along the lines. There where possible, the
carriages will be pulled by one of the antique locomotives,
if not possible it will be an electrical or diesel machine. However we
guarantee departure and arrival with a steam locomotive.
Routes:
Cape Town – Pretoria
Pretoria – Cape Town
Cape Town – George
Pretoria – Victoria Falls
Pretoria – Dar El Salaam
Cape Town - Cairo |
